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The purpose of The Bill of Rights is to protect U.S. citizens from abuse of power that may be committed by the different areas of their government. It does this by expressing clear restrictions on the three braches of government laid out previously in the Constitution. As stated by Hugo Black, Associate Justice to the Supreme Court: "The bill of rights protects people by clearly stating what government can't do by describing the procedures that government must follow when bringing its powers to bear against any person with a view to depriving him of his life, liberty, or property (Black 1960).- Each amendment either states what the government cannot do or limits its powers by providing certain procedures that it must abide by. To provide a few examples, one must take a closer look at some of these amendments. The First Amendment to the Constitution dictates that "Congress shall make no law,"" which establishes a national religion, prohibits free speech or press, or which prevents the right to assemble or petition the government. In the language used, it expressly prohibits the legislative branch from making laws which would impose on the rights that were given to the people. According to Hugo Black, "The Framers were well aware that the individual rights they sought to protect might be easily nullified if subordinated to the general powers granted to Congress. One of the reasons for adoption of the Bill of Rights was to prevent just that (Black 1960)."" The Third Amendment states that the right to be secure against unreasonable search and seizure "shall not be infringed."" Again, this amendment is laying down restrictions on what government has power to do. Amendment Six provides the right to a "speedy and public trial, by an impartial jury,"" to be "informed of the nature and cause of the accusation,"" and "to have compulsory process for obtaining Witnesses in his favor, and to have Assistance of Counsel for his defense.
